"A long time ago, in
another country, I nearly killed a woman. It's a particular feeling,
the urge to murder. First comes rage, larger than any you've ever
imagined. It takes over your body so completely, it's like a divine
force, grabbing hold of your will, your limbs, your psyche. It conveys a
strength you never knew you possessed. Your hands, harmless until now,
rise up to squeeze another person's life away. There's a joy to it. In
retrospect, it's frightening, but I daresay in the moment it feels
sweet. The way justice feels sweet."
So begins The Christie Affair,
told from the point of view of Miss Nan O'Dea, a fictional character
but based on someone real. In 1925, she infiltrated the wealthy,
rarified world of author Agatha Christie and her husband, Archie. A
world of London townhomes, country houses, shooting parties, and tennis
matches. Nan O'Dea became Archie's mistress, luring him away from his
devoted wife. In every way, she became a part of their world--first,
both Christies. Then, just Archie.
The question is, why?
And what did it have to do with the mysterious eleven days that Agatha Christie went missing?
The
answer takes you back time, to Ireland, to a young girl in love, to a
time before The Great War. To a star-crossed couple who were destined to
be together--until war and pandemic and shameful secrets tore them
apart.
What makes a woman desperate enough to destroy another woman's marriage?
What makes someone vengeful enough to hatch a plot years in the making?
What drives someone to murder?
These questions and more are explored in Nina de Gramont's brilliant, unforgettable, lush, and powerful novel.
Reviews
"The Christie Affair is a genuine marvel. An astonishingly
clever novel that manages to be both a deeply satisfying mystery and a
profoundly moving story about lost love and the many ways in which grief
can shape one's character. Full of unexpected twists and written in
beautiful prose, The Christie Affair brilliantly answers a
question that has haunted readers for years: What happened to Agatha
Christie in the days she was missing? Nina de Gramont takes this thread
of a story and weaves it into a rich and vibrant tapestry." -- Kristin Hannah, author of The Four Winds
"The Christie Affair
is a pitch-perfect hat trick of a novel, delivering a fascinating
glimpse into history, with the sensational and unexplained disappearance
of Agatha Christie, a layered and completely satisfying murder mystery,
and a moving, emotional rendering of love, loss, revenge and
redemption―all with effortlessly stunning prose. I loved every page, and
will be recommending this to everyone I know!" -- Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go Dark
"This
novel about the 11-day disappearance of Agatha Christie, told from the
point of view of Christie’s husband’s mistress, is such a delight:
intriguing, fast-paced, and elegantly written. Nina de Gramont takes you
on an adventure through the English countryside with as many twists and
turns as, well, an Agatha Christie novel. The unlikely alliances,
complex motivations, and jaw-dropping surprises will keep you riveted
until the very last page.” -- Christina Baker Kline, author of Orphan Train and The Exiles
“Dare I admit I haven’t read any Agatha Christie or know about her disappearance? I feared this might somehow diminish The Christie Affair for
me. But Nina de Gramont’s skillful storytelling is exceeded only by her
tenderness for her characters, and I was swept up, turning the pages
and savoring them, too. This is a cracking good read!"-- Therese Fowler, author of A Good Neighborhood
"Immersive, reflexive and propulsive, The Christie Affair
is an extremely impressive literary novel which reveals its hidden
themes and secrets through a narrative dance brilliantly done. This tale
of two very different women who want the very same things in life
forges surprising bonds both with its characters and the reader,
deliciously subverting our notions of what makes a heroine, mother,
writer and wife." -- Natalie Jenner, author of The Jane Austen Society
"The Christie Affair is
my favorite kind of story: a fresh take on a real-life event, layered
with mystery and filled with breath-taking plot twists. Toss in the
windswept English countryside and a tragic past, and I’m done for. Nina
de Gramont’s novel shines on so many levels, it’s hard to keep count: as
an ode to Agatha Christie’s legacy, as a dashing love story, and as a
tribute to complicated, determined women. Magnificent."--Fiona Davis, author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue
"I read in a single sitting The Christie Affair
by Nina de Gramont, who weaves a captivating tale around the real life
disappearance of mystery writer Agatha Christie from the point of view
of her husband’s lover. The story combines dark pasts, dangerous
liaisons and unforeseen twists into a masterful work reminiscent of one
of Christie’s enigmatic works. The Christie Affair is both enthralling
and beguiling, and will keep readers guessing until the very last page."
-- Pam Jenoff, author of The Lost Girl of Paris
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